Mariano Diaz on the verge of a return to Madrid

Julen Lopetegui is set to get one of his transfer packages delivered based on reports as Real Madrid are very close to concluding a deal that will seal Mariano Diaz’ return to the Santiago Bernabeu before the summer transfer window shuts.

This has been given credence by Sevilla president Jose Castro, who revealed that Los Blancos have activated their option to buy back the Olympique Lyonnais striker, although his team is locked in negotiations for the forward.

Real Madrid sold Mariano to Lyon in 2017 and are close to bringing him back to the Bernabeu to help fill the gap that was left by Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure to Juventus.

It had been reported that Sevilla had agreed a deal for Mariano but Real Madrid appear to have edged them by activating their first-option clause which was included in the contract that took the 25-year-old to France.